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Darwin's early life
Charles Darwin was born on February 12th, 1809 in England. Charles grew up with a love for science and the outdoors from a young age. Charles mother passed away when he was only a child and his father was a medical doctor who played a large roll in molding Charles into the man he would become. Although Charles was never known as a great student, Charles would go on to study and earn his degrees from Edinburgh University as Cambridge University. -
Darwins time on the H.M.S. Beagle
The H.M.S. Beagle was set to go to Southern American and South Pacific Islands for a five year expedition focused on scientific research. While aboard, Charles would not only serve as a friend for the Captain of the ship, but would also perform scientific research. His research was performed on the water as well as on land. Most notably, Charles would spend many years in the Galapagos Islands. While going between islands on his voyage, he would gather the insight needed for his future work. -
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Evolution Through Natural Selection
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnktXHBvE8s]
Charles observed over many years of work that species on Islands off of the mainland, has slight variations to the mainland animals. He determined that through a process of Natural Selection, that these animals would pass down favorable traits to their offspring that would further their genetic line and would over time branch them off from the original descendants making them more likely to survive. He determined that this applies to all life. -
Early Scientific Contributions
Shortly after his time aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, Charles would write and help with "A Journal of Researches" as well as "Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle". These would later become published and touched on his earlier observations from the Galapagos Islands and the diversity in wildlife amongst the different Islands. -
On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection
After many years of further research and fine tuning of previously collected information, Charles was able to finish his book, "On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection". This would end up being the collection of Charles's life work and would become the thing he is known for today. Darwin, Charles, and Leonard Kebler. On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or, The preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life . London: J. Murray, 1859. -
Darwins later years
After publishing his works Charles would still perform tests and observations and when needed, he would edit and update his work. Although Charles was renowned to be an absolutely brilliant man, many still challenged his work as it would directly contradict many religious beliefs. Charles died in April 19th, 1882 and is buried at Westminster Abbey in London.
